Harley Holman Cancer Assistance and Funeral Funds

The Backstory

Today I would like to present the story of Harley Dean Holman, my loving father. He is a loving son, brother, cousin, husband, father, uncle, and great-uncle. Harley has spent his life supporting his family through hard work and dedication. Harley supports his community as a lifelong cattle farmer and construction worker for the past fifty-plus years. However, in his seventieth year, he has encountered a formidable diagnosis of rapidly spreading lung cancer that is already impacting his way of life.

Our family consists of my father, mother, myself and my wife, and my sister and husband. We have been experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. We first started seeing concerning signs in the middle of September of 2020. Unfortunately, we lost some crucial months of diagnosis due to concerns of COVID-19, which has also presented obstacles in treatment. On November 9th, 2020, we received a formal diagnosis. Since that time frame, our rollercoaster has thrown us for multiple loops.

Out of pride, dignity, and self-worth, he opposed asking for a handout no matter how dire the situation has looked. Despite a deterioration in health through September and October of 2020, he continued working. Harley discontinued his work at his construction job on November 11th, 2020. However, in light of current circumstances, he has been unable to continue his employment. With treatment plans focused on surgeries, chemo, radiation, and immunotherapies, Harley has been focusing on recovery. Harley’s plan of care started with chemotherapy treatments on the week of Thanksgiving. Harley and my mother, Carol, are currently focused on transportation to medical appointments and home care. Since his diagnosis, they have both had limitations in their income sources.

Through our journey, we have seen moments of light and darkness. As of early February of 2021, we received news that provided us with great hope for his recovery and possible remission. The chemotherapy treatments caused a considerable reduction in cancer. However, through a planned reduction in treatments, his cancer has increased in size once again. Harley is also transitioning his care to another medical facility due to the closure of his previous treatment center. His current diagnosis provides little room for a chance of true long-term remission.

Although his inherent morals have not changed on this topic, they received the first round of medical bills in December of 2020. My parents have been focused on handling these debts solely on their own. However, they are reaching the limitations of their financial ability. My family has decided to revisit the idea of posting this request for assistance, as discussed early during his treatment. These bills and hidden expenses add insult to injury.

I would like to humbly request your help. So that I can pay back the many years of knowledge and wisdom he has taught me. Please help me provide that which I do not have. My father deserves much more than I can offer at this time.

The Costs

Our goal is not yet set in stone and may change due to ongoing treatments. Since the middle of November, my father has attended multiple medical appointments and treatments in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The expenses include travel, food, medical stays, medication, and medical treatments. All while they are also paying for their monthly bills without a stable source of income.

Travel includes 70 miles one way and 30 miles in town, while the price of gas varies. This plus wear and tear on the vehicle come out to around $112 plus $3.15 in tolls per trip. Travel includes an average of eight round trips per month. The total would equal $922 per month.

Food prices vary but as a starting measure of $15 per meal and three meals per day. That is $45 per day and $1,350 per month.

Medical stays include hospitality stays at the treatment center. This amount was through the previous treatment facility, priced at $55 per night. However, the new treatment facility does not include this option. So, a hotel stay will be required, estimated at $85 per night. With monthly visits averaging seven nights per month. Before May, the total averaged $385 per month. Moving forward, this will average $595 per month.

The cost of medication includes protein supplements totaling $205 per month. In addition, other prescription medications are an average of $25 per month. The monthly costs of medications average around $230 per month.

The November medical bill alone was around $176,000 before Medicare insurance received the billed amount. While having Medicare adjusted the price and covered a vast majority of this individual bill, the final cost was over $1,000. This total continues to change. However, it is still unsure how much further Medicare will cover.

These totals do not include their non-medical monthly expenses. Monthly these, expenses related to the costs of medical treatment average between $3,900 - $4,100. For one year, this total could be upwards of $46,800 - $49,200.

How can you help

My family is reeling from this sudden and unexpected diagnosis. However, with his current diagnosis, the specialists are optimistic that the type of cancer is receptive to chemotherapy treatments. Harley received a re-evaluation after the first four rounds of chemo treatments. A decrease in cancer did occur. However, the chances of total remission are limited. We are staying optimistic, but the daunting weight of looming medical debt makes the healing process more difficult.

It is uncustomary for my family to ask for assistance. We know that this is a unique situation that requires our attention. With your help, we provide our family and Harley a way to carry on with his life and seek needed medical attention. In turn, this will help restore his ability to survive. So that he may return to his professional pursuits and farming if he desires to do so and is capable.

In Conclusion

Due to my father’s guidance throughout life, me and my sister are who we are today. We would like to return the favor financially. However, we are not capable of bridging such a financial gap on our own. If you live in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, or Texas, please consider that my father has helped in the construction or renovation of hundreds of commercial buildings for our public over the past fifty-plus years. Especially in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and surrounding areas. My father and mother are the hardest workers that I have ever known. Their co-workers can agree that this is true.

Please provide what you deem appropriate. Every donation helps, no matter how small. Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.